1. Potential Energy and Energy Conservation
Chapter 7
Potential Energy and Energy Conservation
Modifications by
Mike Brotherton

2. To use gravitational potential energy in vertical motion
Goals for Chapter 7
To use gravitational potential energy in vertical motion
To use elastic potential energy for a body attached to a spring
To solve problems involving conservative and nonconservative forces
To determine the properties of a conservative force from the corresponding potential-energy function
To use energy diagrams for conservative forces

3. Introduction
How do energy concepts apply to the descending Batman?
We will see that we can think of energy as being stored and transformed from one form to another.

4. Gravitational potential energy
Energy associated with position is called potential energy.
Gravitational potential energy is Ugrav = mgy.
Figure 7.2 at the right shows how the change in gravitational potential energy is related to the work done by gravity.

5. The conservation of mechanical energy
The total mechanical energy of a system is the sum of its kinetic energy and potential energy.
A quantity that always has the same value is called a conserved quantity.
When only the force of gravity does work on a system, the total mechanical energy of that system is conserved. This is an example of the conservation of mechanical energy. Figure 7.3 below illustrates this principle.

6. An example using energy conservation
Refer to Figure 7.4 below as you follow Example 7.1.
Notice that the result does not depend on our choice for the origin.

7. When forces other than gravity do work
Follow the solution of Example 7.2.

8. Work and energy along a curved path
We can use the same expression for gravitational potential energy whether the body’s path is curved or straight.

9. Energy in projectile motion
Two identical balls leave from the same height with the same speed but at different angles.
Follow Conceptual Example 7.3 using Figure 7.8.

10. Motion in a vertical circle with no friction
Follow Example 7.4 using Figure 7.9.

11. Motion in a vertical circle with friction
Revisit the same ramp as in the previous example, but this time with friction.
Follow Example 7.5 using Figure 7.10.

12. Moving a crate on an inclined plane with friction
Follow Example 7.6 using Figure 7.11 to the right.
Notice that mechanical energy was lost due to friction.

13. Work done by a spring
Figure 7.13 below shows how a spring does work on a block as it is stretched and compressed.

14. Elastic potential energy
A body is elastic if it returns to its original shape after being deformed.
Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in an elastic body, such as a spring.
The elastic potential energy stored in an ideal spring is Uel = 1/2 kx2.
Figure 7.14 at the right shows a graph of the elastic potential energy for an ideal spring.

15. Situations with both gravitational and elastic forces
When a situation involves both gravitational and elastic forces, the total potential energy is the sum of the gravitational potential energy and the elastic potential energy: U = Ugrav + Uel.
Figure 7.15 below illustrates such a situation.

16. Motion with elastic potential energy
Follow Example 7.7 using Figure 7.16 below.
Follow Example 7.8.

17. A system having two potential energies and friction
In Example 7.9 gravity, a spring, and friction all act on the elevator.
Follow Example 7.9 using Figure 7.17 at the right.

18. Conservative and nonconservative forces
A conservative force allows conversion between kinetic and potential energy. Gravity and the spring force are conservative.
The work done between two points by any conservative force
a) can be expressed in terms of a potential energy function.
b) is reversible.
c) is independent of the path between the two points.
d) is zero if the starting and ending points are the same.
A force (such as friction) that is not conservative is called a nonconservative force, or a dissipative force.

19. Frictional work depends on the path
Follow Example 7.10, which shows that the work done by friction depends on the path taken.

20. Conservation of energy
Nonconservative forces do not store potential energy, but they do change the internal energy of a system.
The law of the conservation of energy means that energy is never created or destroyed; it only changes form.
This law can be expressed as K + U + Uint = 0.

21. Force and potential energy in one dimension
In one dimension, a conservative force can be obtained from its potential energy function using
Fx(x) = –dU(x)/dx
Figure 7.22 at the right illustrates this point for spring and gravitational forces.

22. Force and potential energy in two dimensions
In two dimensions, the components of a conservative force can be obtained from its potential energy function using
Fx = –U/dx and Fy = –U/dy

23. Energy diagrams
An energy diagram is a graph that shows both the potential-energy function U(x) and the total mechanical energy E.
Figure 7.23 illustrates the energy diagram for a glider attached to a spring on an air track.

24. Force and a graph of its potential-energy function
Figure 7.24 below helps relate a force to a graph of its corresponding potential-energy function.